Understanding the Builder of Jaipur's Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal, often called the "Palace of Winds," is a famous landmark located in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Known for its unique hive-like structure with numerous small windows, it is a significant example of Rajput architecture.

Understanding who commissioned and built such an iconic structure is key to learning about Jaipur's history.

Identifying the King who Built Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. He was the grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who founded the city of Jaipur.

The palace was designed by architect Lal Chand Ustad. Its primary purpose was to allow the royal ladies to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen themselves, in accordance with the customs of the time.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the kings mentioned in the options to understand their roles in Jaipur's history and determine who built the Hawa Mahal:

• Sawai Pratap Singh: As discussed, he is credited with building the Hawa Mahal in 1799.
• Sawai Jai Singh II: He was a very prominent ruler of the Kingdom of Amber (later Jaipur). He is famous for founding the city of Jaipur in 1727 and building astronomical observatories known as Jantar Mantar in various cities, including Jaipur. While highly significant, he did not build the Hawa Mahal.
• Sawai Man Singh I: He was a powerful ruler associated with the Mughal Empire and served under Emperor Akbar. He was an ancestor of the later rulers of Jaipur but lived much earlier (late 16th - early 17th century) than when the Hawa Mahal was built.
• Sawai Madho Singh: There have been several rulers named Sawai Madho Singh in the Jaipur lineage. Sawai Madho Singh I (son of Sawai Jai Singh II) ruled before Sawai Pratap Singh, and Sawai Madho Singh II ruled much later. Neither of them built the Hawa Mahal.

Based on historical records, the construction of the Hawa Mahal is attributed to Sawai Pratap Singh.

Therefore, the king responsible for building the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur was Sawai Pratap Singh.

Revision Table: Key Kings of Jaipur and Structures

Additional Information on Hawa Mahal and Jaipur History

The Hawa Mahal is five stories high. Its facade has 953 small windows, called jharokhas, decorated with intricate lattice work. This design allowed for cool air to pass through, acting like a natural air conditioner during the hot summers. It also allowed the royal ladies to observe street life without being seen, maintaining purdah.

Jaipur is known as the "Pink City" because of the distinctive color of its buildings. This tradition dates back to 1876 when Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh painted the city pink to welcome Prince Albert (later King Edward VII) of England.

Learning about these historical figures and structures helps us understand the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan.